The funeral of Pope Francis has begun at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, drawing an estimated 250,000 mourners. Notable attendees include U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The ceremony is witnessing one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in recent history.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Rome on Friday to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, marking his first unexpected foreign trip of his second term. Accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, Trump will join nearly 50 world leaders and 10 monarchs at the Vatican. Despite past tensions with the Pope over immigration policies, Trump stated he might meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the event, although Zelensky’s attendance remains uncertain.

Dr. AYM Ekramul Haque, Convenor of the Purbachal Society, emphasized the need for a dedicated city corporation to address Purbachal’s ongoing infrastructure issues. Despite the long delay, essential facilities like security stations, expanded power grids, safe drinking water, sewerage systems, road maintenance, educational institutions, markets, hospitals, and recreational parks are still lacking. He urged the government to prioritize the area’s comprehensive development.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan is prepared to cooperate with an independent international investigation into the Pahalgam attack. Rejecting India’s allegations as baseless, Sharif said, “As a responsible nation, we are ready for impartial scrutiny.” He also warned that any violation of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty would be met with full force. Sharif reiterated that Pakistan has been one of the biggest victims of terrorism, losing around 90,000 citizens and suffering billions in economic losses.

Professor Ali Riaz, Vice-Chairman of the Consensus Commission, stated that Jamaat-e-Islami’s contributions to the ongoing fight against fascism will always be remembered. “Despite facing judicial and extrajudicial persecution, Jamaat members have shown remarkable resilience,” he said, expressing hope that the party will play a vital role in rebuilding a truly democratic Bangladesh.

Indian authorities have detained more than 550 illegal Bangladeshi migrants during overnight raids across Gujarat, with over 100 individuals apprehended in Surat alone. The detainees reportedly entered India without valid documentation and were living using forged papers. After investigations are complete, they will be deported back to Bangladesh.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, has warned that the world should be concerned about the possibility of a full-scale conflict between two nuclear-armed nations. “Any clash between two nuclear powers is always a cause for concern. If the situation worsens, it could have tragic consequences,” he said. Tensions have already rattled the Indian stock market. Asif emphasized that serious cross-border firing incidents could escalate tensions into a “full-fledged war” with India. He assured that the Pakistan Army is fully prepared for any eventuality but expressed hope that diplomatic dialogue could still resolve the crisis.

DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz announced that separate roads will be built for the entry and exit of inter-district buses at Gabtoli Terminal. Buses to and from North Bengal will specifically use the new routes through the BRTC depot, aiming to ease congestion at the terminal.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus visited Bangladesh House in Rome on Friday, signing the official visitors’ book. He is currently in Italy to attend Pope Francis’ funeral, which will be held Saturday at Vatican City. Although the Pope’s tomb was intended to be modest, it will be located beneath the Basilica.

Commenting on renewed tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and India following the Pahalgam attack, Donald Trump said such tensions are “nothing new.” He remarked, “Border skirmishes have been happening for 1,500 years; they will eventually find a solution one way or another.” Cross-border firing has reportedly increased since the attack.

In Jashore, a woman working at a brickfield was raped by one man while another assisted in the crime. The arrested suspects are Akram Hossain and Rabbi Hossain. The woman, who had been working with her husband at the site for several months, was assaulted inside a brick-molding area. Both suspects have been sent to jail.

Executive Magistrate Sheikh Naushad Hasan led a raid at Kutkutitala Market in Naogaon, seizing 29.31 tons of government rice illegally stored by traders across two warehouses. Bags marked for food aid programs were also found. The accused traders, including Jahangir Babu, fled during the operation.

During Comilla University’s 2024-25 undergraduate admission tests, teenage gang members staged a violent show of force near Comilla Victoria College. Armed with rods, hockey sticks, bamboo poles, and local weapons, they created panic among candidates and guardians. Three gang members have been detained, according to local police.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Zahid Hossain, 27, from Naogaon for masterminding the abduction of 27 Bangladeshis in Libya. Victims were confined in a house, tortured, and ransom demands were sent to their families via videos. In one case, a ransom demand of 5 million taka was made, with 3.5 million paid through various bank accounts. Zahid has confessed to his crimes.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed confidence that Saudi Arabia would soon join the Abraham Accords — a normalization agreement between Israel and several Arab countries brokered during his first term. Trump is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia next month, marking his second foreign trip of his second campaign after attending Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican. Trump also noted that Saudi Arabia has pledged to invest one trillion dollars into the U.S. economy, and he plans visits to Qatar and the UAE as well.